Summer is in full swing here in Fairbanks and we are milking every last drop of possible fun out of it.
Massie is officially on two feet - walking like a little duck and doing a lot of quacking too. She has a few words but "uh oh" is her favorite as she throws things onto the floor. She has a wonderful disposition and is simply a pleasure to have around.
Rory is a great big sister and is smart as a whip. She's a little chatter box who is interested in everything around her - how things work, why things "are" and constantly says "are you really sure" when asking for a commitment on something.
Massie's Birthday - Continued
I know...we covered Massie's birthday in the blog last month but I've got a few more things to share. The first is the video I tried to post last month but wasn't successful. I'll again apologize for the terrible singing of Massie's mother.
Here is Massie reading her birthday card from Grandma Judy and Grandad Andy. She did the respectful thing and read the card thoroughly before looking at the amount on the check.
Golfing Weekend in Fairbanks
A group of Yuri's pals from Anchorage came in for a good-old-fashion guys golfing weekend. They spend several days golfing and then we had them over for dinner and a "skills challenge". The challenge could be likened to to an obstacle course and included skills from the following sports: soccer, Frisbee golf, boccie ball, and golf (with the clubs of a three year). This is a competitive group so fun was had by all. In fact, after the official challenge we ended up in two vacant lots in the neighborhood for a long drive competition (still using Rory's clubs).
Here is the gang (L to R): Dewey, James, Bruce, George, Rob, Massie, Yuri and Rory.
Yuri showing the guys the rules of the skills challenge. You'll notice that Rory has a stopwatch around her neck - she was keeping time...not sure why Yuri has a yard stick in his hands though.
Our good friend Bruce Tangeman holding a quizzical Massie.
WWWW - Glamping
It was my turn again (along with my mom) to host the monthly WWWW dinner and this time we chose a "glamping" theme. For those not in the know, Glamping is a mixture between camping and glamour...Google it. We set up on a vacant lot my folks own in our neighborhood right on the pond; it was the perfect setting for our evening.
My mom made the table - it had a gutter in the middle that held ice to keep the beverages cold - she is so talented! There was an eating/dining area and a lounge area (pictured below with my Mom and Rory). A wonderful time was had by all and I can say it was one time where the picture in my head actually came to life. I wish I had taken more pictures as there is so much missing I would have liked sharing.
Yearly Craziness in Riverview - The Midnight Sun Run
The yearly Midnight Sun Run goes right past our house and always bring a lot of fun to the neighborhood. There are hundreds of runners but even more people on the sidelines cheering them on. Our neighborhood turns absolutely nuts! There are multiple DJ's, dozens and dozens of parties, and the grandest party of all included a dunk tank and probably 300 people dancing in the street until 3am. If any of you out-of-towners have any interest in visiting Fairbanks next summer make sure you do it over this weekend...you won't be disappointed.
Below was early in the evening...first glass of champagne in hand while hanging out with Rory who got to stay up past her bedtime to watch the racers that didn't start their run until 10pm.
Once the serious runners came through the neighborhood, the gang of girls stood in the middle of the road to give high-fives to the race participants.
Sydney's 20-Year Reunion
It's been twenty years since I graduated high school and frankly it doesn't feel any longer than a year or two. I was hesitant about attending the festivities but ultimately acquiesced and am happy I did. Reunion's are simple - there may be a few gray hairs, extra pounds and some laugh lines but the at the end of the day you can kind of anticipate how peoples lives will turn out. I had a nice time catching up with some old friends and some interesting people that I didn't know too well in school. All in all it was a nice time.
My childhood friend, Rick(y) Allen and me. Rick and I have been friends since before we were born - my father and his were high school friends and in fact his father married Yuri and I.
One of the reunion events was held at Harding Lake (where we spent many weekends in high school behaving ourselves). Below is Rory with the daughter of John Sadler, my close childhood friend and neighbor growing up. The two of these girls got along like peas and carrots.
Other Happenings
I took an accounting class this summer and one of the class days happened to fall on the same day that Yuri had golf league so we had to find sitters every week. Things got desperate one week and Uncle Jesse (my brother) was called in. He did awesome - the kids love him and he will definitely be called in again soon.
On a beautiful sunny Fairbanks day we decided to pack a picnic and head out on the boat. Rory has finally gotten over her fear of being on the water and Massie's not scared of much so it was a pleasant trip. Below is a picture of the gang (minus me) at the mouth of the Chena.
Sisters
Rory is growing up so fast - here she is being a little mother to Massie.
Some more sisterly love. Yuri thinks that Massie's hat makes her look like a Japanese tourist.
Yuri with Rory, Massie and cousin Estelle in the playhouse.
Rory, Rory, Rory
As mentioned in previous posts, Yuri has high hopes for Rory's golf career. Take a look at the video below and you can come to your own conclusion on this.
Rory likely appreciates snack time on the course more than she does hitting the balls.
Rory with Great-Grandfather Bud.
The Marvelous Massie Morgan
Massie was invited to her first birthday party a few weeks ago. Her friend Janelle turned one and we had a great time celebrating. Below are Massie and Janelle munching on messy watermelon.
Hello? Hello? Massie has been watching her sister enough on the phone and now wants a piece of the action. Soon Yuri will have to give up his cell phone to one of the girls like I have been doing for the last two years.
Massie snapped eating dinner.
We hope you are all enjoying your summers...thanks for checking into the blog!
